Why am I able to change the volume from my Android device using PowerAmp? Is this considered true line out quality or is it the same as using the headphone out? Should I leave the volume on the Android device at 100% and control the volume through my amp?

This is normal.. it's just like using WASAPI out w/ your PC and still being able to control the volume of the digital output. keep your S4's volume at 100%.

"NuForce has released a new addition to its line of DACs and headphone amps that should be of particular interest to you Android fans in the audience. The new Icon DAC not only features 32-bit digital-to-analog conversion for Macs and PCs, but also serves as an audiophile caliber DAC and headphone amp for phones and tablets running Android 4.1.1 or later with USB OTG Audio capabilities, including HTC ONE X, Samsung S3, SONY Xperia Z, and all newer versions of those devices.

Now that is good news. It solves a couple challenges on my PC setup and should work with my HTC One and Asus Transformer tablet (crosses fingers). Sweet! Thanks for the heads up.

Can someone please help me build a cart on amazon with what I need to use an amp / dac for my HTC one I'm not sure what usb otg cable to get or which dac amp to get, should I get the old e7 or the new e7k or whatever it is, I would like to keep the budget under 100$ if possible , if the sound quality won't be better I'm willing to spend a little more but not too much.

I have been following this thread for a while and it seems to be a constantly evolving technology. I have an Xperia TL, and recently purchased a Clip Zip. Will Xperia>OTG>DAC/ provide a significantly better source for my E12 and modded T50RPs than the Clip Zip? I listen to FLAC CD rips. Thanks, satwilson

I think I have a faint clue as to why a cheap USB DAC inserted between Xperia Sola and a USB Device may solve the Power Consumption Error.

I checked Windows Device Manager properties/Power tab for USB devices connected to my laptop, and here are the findings:

1) A USB Flash Drive, that was rejected by Sola if plugged straight into the OTG cable:

I know it's cyrillic, but the highlighted item is Mass Storage Device, and it claims it needs 500mA.

2) Another USB Flash drive, that was accepted and mounted by Sola, plugged directly to USB OTG:

As you can see, the USB Mass Storage Device claims it needs only 200mA!!! Which means that Sola is willing to provide 200mA, but not 500mA. I guess the threshold is somewhere between these two values, but I have no way to tell the exact value.

3) RSA Predator - rejected by Sola if plugged directly into USB OTG:

The highlighted item says USB Composite Device (which is how RSA Predator reports itself to the host PC), and (unfortunately) it claims it needs 500mA of current. I know for sure that this is not true: Ray Samuels, while not going into specific details, told me that the Predator's USB power consumption is "far less than 100mA", and I have no reasons not to believe him. The Predator only uses USB to power the DAC cirquit, the entire amp section is powered by the built-in Lithium battery. And this is a very sad thing, because not only it reduces Predator's compatibility with power-avarious android devices, but I also think this is one of the reasons why it is incompatible with Apple CCK, because it calls the same error message: "the device consumes too much power". Which it does not in reality...

And finally, the icing on the cake: 3$ generic USB hub!

Bingo!!! The highlighted item says... well, you see what it says, it's in English :-) But look at the right column value: 0!!! The device tells the host that it needs no current at all!!!

This brought me to an emperical, not science-backed conclusion that a USB hub (or at least certain types of USB hubs) is not transparent for Android USB OTG host device, such as Xperia Sola, and, in case it reports 0mA power reqiuirements, you can plug a coffee machine into it, and still have it accepted by your phone.

Disclaimer: a coffee machine was a joke. And if you burn something plugging things all over the place after reading this post - don't hold me responsible! :-)

Can someone please help me build a cart on amazon with what I need to use an amp / dac for my HTC one I'm not sure what usb otg cable to get or which dac amp to get, should I get the old e7 or the new e7k or whatever it is, I would like to keep the budget under 100$ if possible , if the sound quality won't be better I'm willing to spend a little more but not too much.

I think I have a faint clue as to why a cheap USB DAC inserted between Xperia Sola and a USB Device may solve the Power Consumption Error.

I checked Windows Device Manager properties/Power tab for USB devices connected to my laptop, and here are the findings:

1) A USB Flash Drive, that was rejected by Sola if plugged straight into the OTG cable:

I know it's cyrillic, but the highlighted item is Mass Storage Device, and it claims it needs 500mA.

2) Another USB Flash drive, that was accepted and mounted by Sola, plugged directly to USB OTG:

As you can see, the USB Mass Storage Device claims it needs only 200mA!!! Which means that Sola is willing to provide 200mA, but not 500mA. I guess the threshold is somewhere between these two values, but I have no way to tell the exact value.

3) RSA Predator - rejected by Sola if plugged directly into USB OTG:

The highlighted item says USB Composite Device (which is how RSA Predator reports itself to the host PC), and (unfortunately) it claims it needs 500mA of current. I know for sure that this is not true: Ray Samuels, while not going into specific details, told me that the Predator's USB power consumption is "far less than 100mA", and I have no reasons not to believe him. The Predator only uses USB to power the DAC cirquit, the entire amp section is powered by the built-in Lithium battery. And this is a very sad thing, because not only it reduces Predator's compatibility with power-avarious android devices, but I also think this is one of the reasons why it is incompatible with Apple CCK, because it calls the same error message: "the device consumes too much power". Which it does not in reality...

And finally, the icing on the cake: 3$ generic USB hub!

Bingo!!! The highlighted item says... well, you see what it says, it's in English :-) But look at the right column value: 0!!! The device tells the host that it needs no current at all!!!

This brought me to an emperical, not science-backed conclusion that a USB hub (or at least certain types of USB hubs) is not transparent for Android USB OTG host device, such as Xperia Sola, and, in case it reports 0mA power reqiuirements, you can plug a coffee machine into it, and still have it accepted by your phone.

Disclaimer: a coffee machine was a joke. And if you burn something plugging things all over the place after reading this post - don't hold me responsible! :-)

"iOS 4 changed the power limits of the USB DACs via camera connection kit, i.e. broke things. With iOS 4 you can use a Dr. Botts "T3" portable hub to fool the iPad into thinking it is using a powered hub, and then you can use the DAC fully portable without power."

Hi everyone, a newbie here but had been lurking around for a long time in head fi :p

Firstly, thanks to those who contribute to this great thread! I was researching for a reasonably priced, high performance portable player for some time, from Sansa Clip+ to iBasso DX100 (ya it's out of my reasonably price range) to Sony Walkman Z/F series, and I finally stumbled upon this thread. I think using a source, in this case an Android based device, that outputs digital signal is a really good move as this allows flexibility in setting up one's portable or even home rig. Anyway, please keep up the good work guys!

Danba, I came across this post by Sony Support in their forum, think it might help? It was posted recently, Jun 20, 2013.

Examples of situations when you can use USB devices with your Xperia™ device:

Back up files to a USB memory stick or an external hard disk.

Play music and videos stored on a USB stick or an external hard disk on your Xperia™ device.

Transfer photos from your camera to your Xperia™ device (this depends on camera) - save storage space on the camera and show the photos to your friends on the Xperia™ device.

Write a text message, an email, a tweet, or update your Facebook status on a computer keyboard.

Play games using a gamepad or a joystick.

Navigate the Xperia™ device using a mouse.

HID and USB hub

Xperia™ arc

Xperia™ PLAY

Xperia™ neo

Xperia™ mini

Xperia™ mini pro

Xperia™ pro

Xperia™ ray

Live with Walkman

Xperia™ active

Xperia™ arc S

Xperia™ neo V

Xperia™ neo L

HID, USB hub and USB mass storage

Xperia™ S

Xperia™ acro S

Xperia™ ion

Xperia™ SL

Xperia™ P

Xperia™ sola

Xperia™ U

Xperia™ go

HID, USB hub and USB mass storage

Xperia™ TX

Xperia™ GX

Xperia™ TL

Xperia™ T

Xperia™ SX

Xperia™ VL

Xperia™ AX

Xperia™ Vc

Xperia™ V

Mainly for developers: These models also support the Android USB host API = can be used to control USB Host devices from Android apps

HID, USB hub, USB mass storage and Audio

Xperia™ Z

Xperia™ ZL

Xperia™ Tablet Z

Mainly for developers: These models also support the Android USB host API = can be used to control USB Host devices from Android apps

I think in short, all the Sony devices listed here can be used with USB Audio Recorder? For official support, the Xperia Z, ZL and Tablet Z allows direct USB to DAC, and you can play songs with native player or players like poweramp?

Hi everyone, a newbie here but had been lurking around for a long time in head fi

Firstly, thanks to those who contribute to this great thread! I was researching for a reasonably priced, high performance portable player for some time, from Sansa Clip+ to iBasso DX100 (ya it's out of my reasonably price range) to Sony Walkman Z/F series, and I finally stumbled upon this thread. I think using a source, in this case an Android based device, that outputs digital signal is a really good move as this allows flexibility in setting up one's portable or even home rig. Anyway, please keep up the good work guys!

Danba, I came across this post by Sony Support in their forum, think it might help? It was posted recently, Jun 20, 2013.

I think in short, all the Sony devices listed here can be used with USB Audio Recorder? For official support, the Xperia Z, ZL and Tablet Z allows direct USB to DAC, and you can play songs with native player or players like poweramp?

Second, don't forget the OTG power consumption error problem that Xperias have. Again, see some of my posts here recently.

Thanks for your warning notes hummer! I was looking at Xperia V till I saw the problems you faced. Hope you can get them work out soon. By the way, do you intend to try custom ROM for your Sola? I was thinking, maybe a custom USB driver might help in your case? Maybe DanBa or someone who knows more can help.